Stranger than fiction

They shouldn’t exist! 10 humans with mind-blowing abilities

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Some people are born with abilities that seem straight out of a comic book. These extraordinary senses—whether heightened sight, smell, or even resistance to pain—are all backed by science. While rare, these real-life superpowers offer a fascinating glimpse into the extremes of human potential. Here are 10 remarkable sensory abilities found in real people.

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Some people have "super vision" thanks to tetrachromacy, a condition in which they possess four types of cone cells in their eyes instead of the usual three. This allows them to see a broader range of colors, including subtle shades invisible to most people.

Tetrachromacy is more common in women, as the genetic mutation is linked to the X chromosome. Studies suggest that tetrachromats may distinguish up to 100 million colors—far beyond the roughly 1 million that most people can perceive.

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Around 25% of people are "supertasters," meaning they have an unusually high number of taste buds. This heightened sensitivity makes them perceive bitter and sweet flavors more intensely than others.

Supertasters often avoid bitter foods like coffee, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts, but they may also experience a richer perception of flavors overall. Their ability is linked to a gene called TAS2R38, which affects taste receptors on the tongue.

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Some people have a genetic mutation in the LRP5 gene that makes their bones significantly denser and more fracture-resistant. Their skeletons are almost unbreakable compared to the average person.

This mutation has been studied in families with exceptionally strong bones. Researchers hope it could lead to treatments for osteoporosis, offering insight into improving bone density in aging populations.

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Individuals with superior hearing may have a condition called hyperacusis, which allows them to detect sounds at much lower volumes than the average person. Some can even hear frequencies that are typically beyond human perception.

However, hyperacusis can be a double-edged sword—while it allows for extraordinary auditory sensitivity, it can also cause discomfort or even pain in everyday noisy environments. Some musicians and sound engineers reportedly have a mild form of hyperacusis.

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A rare genetic mutation in the SCN9A gene makes certain people unable to feel pain. They can suffer injuries—or even break bones—without experiencing discomfort.

While this might sound like a superpower, it's actually quite dangerous. Pain is essential for survival, as it signals injury or harm. People with this condition often injure themselves unknowingly and may require constant medical supervision.

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Hyperosmia, an enhanced sense of smell, allows some individuals to detect odors that others can’t. This ability is often linked to genetics, but can also be influenced by certain neurological conditions.

Some hyperosmics work as professional "noses" in the perfume industry, identifying and analyzing complex scents. Others use their ability in medicine, detecting diseases like Parkinson’s through smell alone.

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Some people possess a genetic mutation in the ACTN3 gene that enhances muscle function and improves resistance to cold. This mutation is more common in Arctic populations, helping them survive extreme conditions.

Dutch athlete Wim Hof, popularly known as "The Iceman," has demonstrated remarkable cold endurance through meditation and breath control. Scientists believe his abilities result from a combination of genetic factors and intense training.

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A small percentage of people can sense Earth’s magnetic field, similar to migratory birds. This ability, known as magnetoreception, is believed to be linked to the presence of cryptochrome proteins in the eye.

While most people are unaware of it, studies have shown that some can unconsciously detect magnetic directions. The exact mechanism is still being studied, but it hints at an ancient, possibly dormant, human navigation system.

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Hyperthymesia is an ability where people remember nearly every detail of their lives, down to specific dates and conversations. Only a handful of people worldwide have been diagnosed with it.

Individuals with hyperthymesia can recall past events with photographic precision, often describing experiences from decades ago as if they just happened. Scientists believe their brains process memory differently, though the exact mechanisms remain unknown.

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Elite sprinters often carry a variation of the ACTN3 gene, also known as the "speed gene," which enhances fast-twitch muscle fibers responsible for rapid acceleration.

While training plays a major role, genetic predisposition gives some athletes a significant advantage. This gene variant is found more frequently in world-class sprinters than in the general population.

Black and white, and every idiom in between

Recognize the Red Flags! How many of these colorful idioms do you use?

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Idioms let us express ideas in creative and colorful ways. Luckily for us, English is full of popular expressions—many of which use the colors of the rainbow to describe moods, feelings, and all sorts of everyday situations. Join us as we explore the meanings and origins of 10 color idioms that brighten up our daily conversations!

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If you show up at the beach and see a big red flag, you know it signals danger. This association between the color red and warning signs has carried over into everyday language. Nowadays, when someone speaks of a "red flag," they're referring to those aspects or attitudes of a person that need to be examined with caution, as they may be indicators of trouble ahead. For example, if a friend tells you her partner never replies to her messages, you might think: "Red flag!" The idiom is believed to have originated in 17th- and 18th-century military and naval traditions, where red flags were used to signal battle or to warn of danger.

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This phrase comes from the accounting world, back when everything was done by hand and computers hadn’t completely taken over our world. Red ink was used to record losses or deficits, while black ink indicated profits. That’s why we say someone—more often, a company—is in the black when their finances are in good shape and they have a positive balance.

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We all know a good handshake usually signals a deal, but if the handshake is golden, it means the deal has been juicy, at least for one of the parties. When we say that an employee received a golden handshake, it means they were given a large sum of money or generous benefits, typically as part of early retirement or a negotiated departure. The idiom is believed to have originated in the UK in the mid-20th century, during the rise of the corporate world.

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Sometimes, we forget to recognize and appreciate what we’ve achieved, choosing instead to focus on what others seem to have. That’s exactly the idea behind the classic phrase "The grass is always greener on the other side." This kind of envy is nothing new—the idiom actually dates back to the first century BC! The Roman poet Ovid first expressed it as Fertilior seges est alieno semper in arvo, which translates to "The harvest is always more fruitful in another man's field."

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You’ve probably found yourself in a pointless argument at some point. When you realize that winning the debate isn’t worth it, you might choose to surrender for the sake of peace. At that moment, it’s said that you’re raising a white flag. Of course, this idiom comes from the actual practice of raising a white flag during war to signal a truce or surrender. The tradition is so old that it's believed even ancient Roman and Chinese armies used white flags—or white garments—to signal they were laying down their arms.

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Almost all of us have had one of those mornings with a terrible headache and no clear memory of what happened the night before. Chances are, we were out painting the town red. When someone goes out partying with friends, we say they're painting the town red—but why that color?

The origin of this idiom is believed to date back to 19th-century England. According to several sources, in 1837, the Marquess of Waterford and his friends went on a drunken spree through a town, committing wild pranks—including painting several buildings with red paint.

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Although we often use this popular idiom in casual conversation today, its roots go back nearly six centuries! That’s right—historians trace the origin of the phrase to 15th-century Scotland, where someone was said to be caught red-handed if they were discovered at the scene of a crime—literally with blood on their hands. But since metaphor is the name of the game when it comes to idioms, we no longer need actual blood—or even a real crime. These days, catching someone red-handed might just mean finding your brother-in-law sneaking a piece of cake from the fridge.

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If you're on a first date, it's better to wait before showing your true colors. But what exactly are our "true colors"? This idiom is about revealing what's beneath the surface—our true character, intentions, or feelings.

The phrase dates back to 17th-century naval warfare, when ships were expected to fly their true flags to show their identity. Some deceptive vessels, however, would fly false flags—or "colors"—to trick others.

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Well, let's say this idiom is fairly self-explanatory and uses color symbolism to describe extremes. When a situation is black or white, it means there’s little room for nuance—you’re expected to choose one side or the other, with no middle ground. It’s the classic "all or nothing" mindset.

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We all have that one loyal friend who’s always there for us—the kind of person who keeps their word and stands by you no matter what. That’s what it means to be true blue. The idiom is believed to trace back to medieval England and Scotland, where high-quality blue dye was prized. If the color didn’t fade over time, it was considered reliable—true blue.